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An In-Depth Look At The Three Redbirds Top Prospects, Part 3

We conclude our in-depth look at former Memphis Redbirds who were ranked among the Cardinals Top 10 Prospects by Baseball America. Other top prospects, such as a #1 Oscar Taveras, #3 Carlos Martinez, and #5 Kolten Wong, are expected to play a big role for the Rebirds in 2013. With all of this returning and incoming talent, there is a lot of excitement heading into this Redbirds upcoming season.

Here is a look at the third and final former Redbird in the Cardinals list of Top 10 Prospects:

#7 Matt Adams

Allison Rhoades / Memphis Redbirds

Allison Rhoades / Memphis Redbirds

Allison Rhoades / Memphis Redbirds

Allison Rhoades / Memphis Redbirds

Allison Rhoades / Memphis Redbirds

At 24 years old, Adams is rated as the “Best Power Hitter” in the Cardinals organization by Baseball America. His swing is described as “compact” and “spring-loaded,” which has allowed him to hit for both power and average over his professional career. In four minor league seasons, Adams has posted a .318 average with 82 home runs and 291 RBIs in 366 games.

Adams played 67 games for the Redbirds in 2012, along with a month-long stint with the big Cardinals. With Memphis, Adams batted .329 with 18 home runs and 50 RBIs. Prior to his call-up to the majors on May 20, he was batting .340 and led the team with nine home runs and 27 RBIs in 37 games. Adams recorded two homers, 13 RBIs and six doubles in 27 games with the big league squad before being re-assigned to Memphis. He missed the final month of the season with bone chips in his right elbow.

Prior to arriving in Memphis, Adamas racked up a number of accolades at the different minor league levels. He was named 2011 Cardinals Minor League Player of the Year and Texas League Player of the Year, along with Texas League mid-season and post-season All-Stars while with Double-A Springfield. He was also a Midwest League mid-season and post-season All-Star as a member of Low-A Quad Cities.

Adams is expected to be the Redbirds’ Opening Day starter at first base, with Allen Craig at the position at the big league level. He was originally drafted by the Cardinals in the 23rd round of the June 2009 draft out of Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania, where he led Division II in hitting with a .495 average.

Be sure to check out the Cardinals Caravan tomorrow at 6:30 pm at Autozone Park. Top Prospect Matt Adams will be in attendance, along with pitchers Michael Wacha and Sam Freeman and Cardinals Alumni Ryan Franklin and Brad Thompson. For information on the Caravan, please call (901) 721-6000. See you there!

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